2015 | Native9 | Rancho Ontiveros Vineyards Pinot Noir

Light and fresh on the nose, this bottling only shows hints of age despite its seven-year-old status. Aromas of muddled strawberry and sharp peppercorn lead into a savory palate of cracked pepper, blistered tomato and cranberry, with a zesty acidity pumping into a complex finish.

Producer Information

Native9 is James Ontiveros’s own label, the name signifying that he is the ninth generation of farmers in California. The Pinot Noir is from James’s family's 8-acre Rancho Ontiveros Vineyard which he manages, located at 6525 Dominion Rd, in Santa Maria. The vineyard, which was planted in 1997 and 1998, is part of his family's 400-acre property. The vineyard contains four different rootstocks and eight different Pinot Noir clones. Seven wineries buy about 75% of the grapes. An additional 21 acres was planted in 2009 including heritage clones such as Mt. Eden and Swan from the nearby Byron property. All plantings are organically farmed, and are small, compact vines. Foxen winemaker Bill Wathen made the first Native9 in 2002, but that vintage and the next were not released commercially. The inaugural 2004 vintage was well received for its moderately intense flavors of cherries, berries and loamy earth. Production remains about 160 cases annually. Paul Wilkins, a college friend at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and former assistant winemaker at Alban Vineyard in Edna Valley, is the current winemaker. One distinguishing feature of Native9 Pinot Noir is that it is 100% whole cluster. James wants to make a wine that is different from so many other Pinot Noirs in the marketplace. That, combined with his organicfarming of small, compact vines, creates a distinctive wine. James often pours at the major Pinot Noir festivals. He also a partner with winemaker Paul Wilkins in Alta Maria (Pinot Noir and Syrah from purchased fruit) as well as the director of sales and marketing at Bien Nacido Vineyards. Native 9 is sold primarily through a mailing list.

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